Australia unaware where missionary is being held, his condition in North Korea, FM says

This undated photo provided by John Short's family, shows Australian missionary John Short in Hong Kong. Short has been detained while on a tour of North Korea, his family said on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014. Short went to North Korea in a regular tour group last week with one other person, who returned to China on Tuesday and told the family Short had been questioned and arrested at his Pyongyang hotel on Sunday, according to a statement released by the family. (AP Photo/Family of John Short) EDITORIAL USE ONLY
(The Associated Press)

This undated photo provided by John Short's family, shows Australian missionary John Short and his wife Karen, in Hong Kong. Short has been detained while on a tour of North Korea, his family said on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014. Short went to North Korea in a regular tour group last week with one other person, who returned to China on Tuesday and told the family Short had been questioned and arrested at his Pyongyang hotel on Sunday, according to a statement released by the family. (AP Photo/Family of John Short) EDITORIAL USE ONLY
(The Associated Press)

Karen Short, wife of the Australian missionary John Short, talks on the phone inside the Christian Book Room in Hong Kong Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014. Short went to North Korea in a regular tour group last week with one other person, who returned to China on Tuesday and told the family Short had been questioned and arrested at his Pyongyang hotel on Sunday, according to a statement released by the family. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
(The Associated Press)

MANILA, Philippines – Australia's foreign minister says her government is trying to find out where an Australian missionary is being held and what his condition is in North Korea.

Julie Bishop told a news conference in the Philippine capital, Manila, on Thursday that Australia did not have a diplomatic office in Pyongyang and was being represented by the Swedish Embassy.

The North Korean government has not made any statements on John Short, 75, whose family has said he was questioned and then arrested in his Pyongyang hotel on Sunday, a day after he arrived in the North Korean capital.

Bishop says her government will provide "the highest level of consular assistance" it can to Australians who find themselves in trouble outside the country, including Short.